It is with extreme regret that the National Border Patrol Council reports the death of Border Patrol Agent Juan Esparza. Agent Esparza was traveling home after completing his shift at the Cotulla, TX Border Patrol Station, when the van he was the driver of was struck head-on by a suspected drunk driver. The passenger, a fellow Border Patrol agent, was severely injured but will survive.

Border Patrol Agent Juan Esparza was a member of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy's 858th Session, had been a Border Patrol agent for six years, and is survived by his parents.

The thoughts and prayers of Border Patrol agents nationwide are with the family of Agent Esparza and his injured partner. This loss is felt profoundly by the Border Patrol family and the millions of Americans who support our Border Patrol agents.